In this course students are introduced to the concepts of Open Education and Distance Learning. They study about Self Learning and the skills required to be an independent learner. Students acquire basic communication and writing skills as well.

TU170: Computing Essentials

This is an introductory course which introduces students to the essential concepts of related learning online and computing with confidence. This is a fundamental course for all students enrolled in AOU. Students study topics about the basics of computing, computer system, the Internet and the Web.

AR111: Arabic Communication Skills (I)

Arabic 111 is a three credit-hour university requirement, and is the first in a two-course series. The course aims to enable students acquire the language skills needed at the university level, with special emphasis on the following subject areas:

Essentials of Arabic syntactic structures

Knowledge of grammatical inflectional markers and case endings in spoken and written Arabic

Ability to read Arabic texts in different disciplines with understanding, analytical skills, deduction, and evaluation

Looking up meanings of words in Arabic dictionaries

Adequate training and involvement in writing activities, with the proper use of punctuation marks and avoiding spelling mistakes.

AR112: Arabic Communication Skills (II)

Arabic 112 is a three credit-hour university requirement. It aims at developing students’ skills in text analysis and literary appreciation. In this course students are introduced to the principles of accurate pronunciation and the sound reading of texts. In addition, students are introduced to and trained in the arts of Arabic rhetoric and its models, along with the knowledge of some literary genres: their elements and analysis. Students will also be introduced to the basic steps and methods of writing research papers.

EL111: English Communication Skills (I)

As an integrated skills syllabus, EL111 continues to develop the communication skills – listening, speaking reading and writing- together with functions, vocabulary and grammar. However, special emphasis is placed on the two major skills of READING and WRITING through which structure, vocabulary, etc. can be integrated and developed. The course is learner-centered and seeks to introduce thematic topics which aim at developing critical thinking skills. It emphasizes the skill of reading through the application of learning strategies such as prior knowledge, scanning for specific information, skimming for main idea, and getting meaning from context. The course helps students to become more independent learners through extensive reading and writing practice.

EL112: English Communication Skills (II)

EL112 is an advanced integrated skills course which builds on experience gained from EL111. The course continues to develop the four communication skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, while stressing aspects of vocabulary and grammatical structure through the two major skills of READING and WRITING. Special emphasis is placed on the skill of WRITING where students will be prepared to write longer essays and be introduced to research paper writing.

Course Description of University Requirements/ Elective

GR111: Arab Islamic Civilization

This course covers:

Overall views in the history of Arabic-Islamic Civilization.

Concepts and Social Issues.

The effect of Islamic Civilization on the European Renaissance.

Trends of Stagnation in the Islamic Civilization.

Modern Arabic Renaissance.

Islamic Arts and Architecture.

Learning outcome: Acquaint students with the past influence and present importance of Arabic-Islamic civilization in world history.

Learning outcome: Understanding developmental issues in the Arab World in their contexts, social, cultural, economic or political.

GR115: Current International Affairs

The course examines the issues and problems which stand as global concerns in the interaction of civilizations, North-South relations, development of International and National Civil Society, Human Rights and Illegal Immigration.

Learning outcome:

Analysis of the issues and problems which stand as global concerns.

Understanding factors of these problems and their impact on the global, regional and national organizational structure.

EL118 : Reading (EL118)

The course, Reading (EL118), is a four credit hour, level one course that aims to help students become better readers of English texts. It focuses on expanding students’ reading skills and vocabulary usage so that they can cope with different academic, professional and social situations effectively. It has EL112 as a pre-requisite.

The course aims at:

Providing the student with opportunities to draw upon life experience in his/her mastery of a wide variety of reading strategies and skills that include: previewing, scanning, using contextual clues to get the meaning, finding the main idea, summarizing and making inferences.

Improving the student’s language proficiency and his/her ability to decode and process vocabulary.

Helping the student become an independent word learner by having him/her notice and effectively practice new words as they encounter them.

Developing the academic proficiency of the student by making him/her aware of the reciprocal relationship between reading and vocabulary.

CHI101: Chinese for Beginners (I)

The course introduces the student to the basics of Chinese (Mandarin). These include the alphabet, common everyday expressions, simple sentences, short dialogues and small paragraphs. The four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking will be equally emphasized. However, as we live in the age of the image, students will have ample exposure to a variety of audio-visual material which boost their command of the language at the beginner’s level. The communicative approach is to be adopted in face-to-face tutorials and the various methods of enabling students to learn on their own will be prioritized.

CHI102: Chinese for Beginners (II)

The course builds on what the student has learnt in level (1). Toward this end, it introduces the student to more everyday expressions, more widely-used short sentences, some compound and complex sentences, medium-size dialogues, and short passages. While the skills of listening and speaking will be receiving adequate attention, more emphasis is to be placed on the skills of reading and writing. Face-to-face tutorials will be communicative and students will be empowered to learn on their own.

SPA101: Spanish for Beginners (I)

The course introduces the student to the basics of Spanish. These include the alphabet, common everyday expressions, simple sentences, short dialogues and small paragraphs. The four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking will be equally emphasized. However, as we live in the age of the image, students will have ample exposure to a variety of audio-visual material which boost their command of the language at the beginner’s level. The communicative approach is to be adopted in face-to-face tutorials and the various methods of enabling students to learn on their own will be prioritized.

SPA102: Spanish for Beginners (II)

The course builds on what the student has learnt in level (1). Toward this end, it introduces the student to more everyday expressions, more widely-used short sentences, some compound and complex sentences, medium-size dialogues, and short passages. While the skills of listening and speaking will be receiving adequate attention, more emphasis is to be placed on the skills of reading and writing. Face-to-face tutorials will be communicative and students will be empowered to learn on their own.

FRE101: French for Beginners (I)

The course introduces the student to the basics of French. These include the alphabet, common everyday expressions, simple sentences, short dialogues and small paragraphs. The four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking will be equally emphasized. However, as we live in the age of the image, students will have ample exposure to a variety of audio-visual material which boost their command of the language at the beginner’s level. The communicative approach is to be adopted in face-to-face tutorials and the various methods of enabling students to learn on their own will be prioritized.

FRE102: French for Beginners (II)

The course builds on what the student has learnt in level (1). Toward this end, it introduces the student to more everyday expressions, more widely-used short sentences, some compound and complex sentences, medium-size dialogues, and short passages. While the skills of listening and speaking will be receiving adequate attention, more emphasis is to be placed on the skills of reading and writing. Face-to-face tutorials will be communicative and students will be empowered to learn on their own.

The course contains a range of ideas concerning matrices and its applications, including operations appropriate in specialized applications and some knowledge of relevant computing ideas that are widely used in data communication, digital signal processing and in scientific research. The course shows how to formulate algorithms to solve systems of linear equations. It also includes techniques of vector spaces for constructing important mathematical structures, illustrated by examples. It shows how to find a basis and dimension of a subspace of each vector space. Finally it shows how to construct a linear transformation from a vector space to another vector space and check if it is one-to-one and onto.

Course Description of Faculty Requirements/ Electives

GE103: Discrete Mathematics

This is an introductory level undergraduate course which introduces students to the basic principles of Discrete Mathematics. The course aims to: teach students notations used in Discrete Mathematics associated with computing, teach the rudiments of elementary mathematical reasoning, prepare students for the theoretical parts of further courses in computing, study logic from a mathematical perspective and relating it to computer applications, introduce basic set-theoretical notions: relations, functions, graphs, equivalence relations, partial orderings; introduce students to Graphs and Trees.

GE104: Data, computing and Information

This is an introductory level course which introduces students to the essential concepts related to data and information. The course aims to introduce a number of concepts concerning data and information and to help students to recognize, analyze, and differentiate the diverse ways in which data can be acquired, transformed and presented. This course will relate data, information and computing systems to wider personal, cultural, social, scientific, technological and organizational contexts. The course also aims to introduce the student to fundamentals of programming using JavaScript and foster a sense that computers can be used creatively as well as mechanically.

GE106: Computer Organization and Architecture

This course offers a clear and comprehensive survey about computer organization and architecture. It introduces the inner workings of a modern digital computer through an integrated presentation of fundamental concepts and principles. Aims of the module are as follows: to understand computer organization, To understand computer architecture, To understand the different core concepts behind the hardware layer of a computer system.

GE105: Data Structures and Algorithms

This course aims to study the design, implementation, and application of data structures as a means for algorithmic problem solving. Each problem exhibits specific characteristics with respect to resource requirements, data representation, and software architecture. The study of data structures is primarily concerned with the following questions: How can a given problem be effectively expressed? What are suitable data representations for specifying computational processes? What is the impact of data and its representation with respect to time and space consumption? What are the reoccurring structural artefacts in software and how can we identify them in order to facilitate problem solving?

The course will introduce to the student how to use a Computer Aided Design software. The student will be taught the basics of design using CAD, from initial simple model generation though to developing more complex three dimensional models using the computer as a tool for design.

GE301: 3D Modelling and Animation Techniques

This course will introduce principles and techniques used for creating three-dimensional content in virtual space. Students will learn principles of model creation, texture manipulation, scene rendering and animation to enable them to conceptualize and produce meaningful and artistic visualizations. The class will also explore the implications of the work produced as students engage in mutual critique.

GE302: Web Application Development - Server Side

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop dynamic web applications using open source software tools such as PHP and MySQL on an Apache server. Specifically, students will learn to write server-side scripts in PHP language, process user data submitted from web forms, design and create databases for various kinds of web applications and design and implement 3-tier web apps using PHP and MySQL.

Course Description of Specialization Requirements / Mandatory

4AD010: Introduction to Art and Design in Context

This module provides generic and subject specific contextualisation for undergraduate study in Art and Design. This module enables you to develop appropriate key skills including research and academic writing. You will be introduced to subject relevant social, historical and cultural contexts. These contexts will be presented through a variety of ways such as visual presentations, film and gallery visits.

4VC012 : Studio Practice: Ideas, concepts and communication methods

This module is studied in conjunction with the two other Studio Practice modules in Level 4 and the combination of these modules is intended to introduce you to the fundamentals of Visual Communication practice. A series of exploratory projects, lectures, seminars and workshops will introduce you to a number of strategies that will help you to generate ideas, concepts and delivery methods. You will understand the necessary verbal and visual skills required to communicate these concepts. Through this module you will acquire understanding of creative thinking, problem solving, concept development and communication strategies. You will record and evaluate your progress through a journal and/or sketchbook. Continuous Feedback will be delivered in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debate.

4VC013: Elements, Composition and Digital Foundation

This module is intended to introduce the student to the fundamentals of Visual Communication practice. It will enable students to refine their drawing skills with visual elements and compositions, through the use of specialized software tools. Additional challenges are added that partner original thought with learned practices.

In addition, this module introduces students to fundamental principles and applications of design, emphasizing critical and cultural awareness of design issues and developing of technical skills. The notion of creative problem solving is particularly emphasized. Students develop expertise in major industry standard software packages. This module lays the foundation for further study of design. A broad range of hands-on delivered projects with emphasis on process, both traditional and digital, will enhance the student's understanding of the potential of delivery methods and systems and provide the student with a working knowledge of and opportunities to further explore the application of these systems within their practice.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debates.

4VC014: Introduction to Programming and Interactivity for Media Arts

This module introduces the student to key areas of contemporary Visual Communication practice through using modern techniques for computer programming and interactivity for digital media arts. This module provides an introduction to the basic knowledge required to understand, design and write computer programs and the basic principles, underlying the process of Software Engineering. No previous programming experience is assumed and the module proceeds via a sequence of tutorials supported by hands-on-training and simple exercises designed to give practical experience of the concepts introduced in the tutorials.

In addition, the module gives an introduction to the concepts of interactivity and the field of media art. It vitally concentrates on the act of perception of arts and design. The module includes discussion of the potential ideas related to interactivity, with focus on required skills for creating interactive work. A range of studio and workshop delivered subject specific projects will broaden the student's awareness of core aspects of contemporary visual communication practice. The module will facilitate independent learning through encouraging the student to generate strategies, initiate structures and manage working methodologies fundamental to their practice.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debates.

4VC015: Digital Photography and Media Production

This module will introduce the student to a number of studio and workshop-driven image making and manipulating projects, processes, techniques and methods, and is intended to enhance their understanding of the potential of the image to influence visual outcomes.

Through this module the students will learn about various forms of media, how to make the best use of them, why one would choose one form of media over another, and finally, about all of the techniques used to create a media project. They will learn the basics of media production using the media tools of photography, film, video, audio, graphic production, and interactive media.

The module will reinforce understanding of the importance of the link between idea and artwork, and the potential role of material choice and manipulation in creative problem solving.

Formative Feedback will be delivered in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debate.

4VC016: Typography I

Students will explore creative, historical, theoretical, and applied principles of typography. Through creative projects and exercises, students will explore the communicational impact of choosing typefaces, the expressive possibilities of type in static and kinetic media, as well as the foundations for hierarchy and composition for publication design. Students will also develop skills to enhance, clarify, and support meaning and the accessibility of typographic content.

A further range of studio and workshop delivered projects will enhance the student understanding of the fundamentals of contemporary specialist practice. The module will give the student the opportunity to build on the understanding of the key components of their specialism, enabling him to improve their research and practical strategies whilst offering a broader experience of contemporary practice within the industry.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debates.

5VC012: Visual Narrative

This module will encourage you to explore the potential of Visual Narrative within your specialist practice. This narrative may manifest itself as analogue or digital outputs, still or moving image or sound, and may take the form of graphic novels, children’s books, storyboards, films, sound collages or artist’s books; an advertising or promotional campaign, performance or event, web-media, multimedia, information graphics or reportage. You may wish to explore global or personal issues or re-imagine an existing narrative form. This predominantly self-authored project may take the form of an individual or collaborative approach and will encourage personal engagement with current specialist practice.

Continuous feedback will be provided throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debates.

5AD008: Critical and Contextual Issues in Art and Design

This module will enable you to increase and develop your awareness of a variety of theoretical concepts, issues and movements which have affected or influenced the way in which creative practitioners think and work. You will develop arguments and/or solve problems through a continuing engagement with cultural, social, environmental and historical issues demonstrating critical thinking.

5VC013: Typography II and Computer Graphics

Students will create typographically focused solutions to design challenges, and explore the relationship between type and image across print and digital media. The module emphasizes ideation of sophisticated design combining visual and verbal elements, as well as the development of advanced publication layout skills, grid-based typographic structures, and information design.

The students will be required to produce a proposal for study that will contain a self-authored project outline, outline timetable of study (including proposed deadlines), and anticipated outcomes including the potential for further development of areas the student intends to explore. At the conclusion of the module, the students will be expected to reflect on their performance and to generate a report of their performance throughout the module.

The students will organize access to required resources and specialist knowledge appropriate to their approved project(s), use effective time-management, research strategies and analyse their performance through the production of a journal/sketchbook.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials.

5VC015: Digital and Emerging Media Design

Students will develop applied creative projects and acquire technical skills to become adept at essential software, design principles and practices for screen-based digital and emerging media. This module will enable students to learn the principles and techniques of art direction. Formative self-analysis of the student performance and feedback received will enable him to develop their individual approach to their practice and broaden their understanding of appropriate application of theories, ideas, media and techniques.

The student will be required to produce a proposal for study that will contain the project outline, outline timetable of study (including proposed deadlines), and anticipated outcomes including the potential for further development of areas he intends to explore.

At the conclusion of the module, the students will be expected to reflect on their performance and to generate a report of their performance throughout the module. The students will organize access to required resources and specialist knowledge appropriate to their approved project(s), use effective time-management, research strategies and analyse their performance through the production of a journal/sketchbook.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials.

5VC017: Digital Visualization Studio

This module explores the digital technology of design available to students for two dimensional (2D) representations. It starts with an exploration of the design elements such as line, value, colour, shape, form, texture and space. It demonstrates the 2D design types and it also discusses the language of visual design, digital photography, and digital design processes. Moreover, it introduces Raster Image Manipulation, including principles of image representation and digital colour representation, Intermediate drawing techniques and creating and manipulating complex Vector shapes. In addition, this module covers all concepts related to 3D form as well as related special issues. A series of studio and workshop delivered projects will enable the students to investigate core aspects of contemporary Digital Visualization and encourage the development of their personal approach.

The projects will encourage the student to develop a personal engagement with the techniques, materials and processes of their subject. The students will gain greater understanding of the relationship between the artist/designer, the products of practice and the audience, client and market and they will demonstrate an understanding of contemporary Digital Visualization practice and awareness of key practitioners on their chosen field. The module will encourage an appreciation of the need for an effective working methodology that will be flexible, and enable independent thinking and production for a range of different project requirements.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debates.

5VC019: Visual Effects, Compositing and Mixed Media Production

Visual Effects and Compositing is a very practical module where the student develops short video clips integrating live video footage, 3D animations and special effects. Each workshop session includes hands-on training in visual effects and compositing software. This module gives the students insight into the various techniques used in the industry as well as the necessary skills to perform compositing tasks. Using appropriate software tools, students will perform their own tests, experiments, and finished effects shots. In addition, this module helps the students to acquire the technical knowledge and set procedures required of professional sound recordists and mixers in a wide range of field productions.

This module incorporates a range of studio delivered projects and, where appropriate, workshops, which will consolidate the students' understanding of their specialist practice. The student will gain a greater understanding of the potential application of their work and will use a range of approaches and research methods relevant to their given projects. The students will interpret, evaluate and synthesize theoretical professional and contextual issues in relation to practice and present their concepts, ideas, theories and practical work effectively. The module will support their personal approach to their specialist subject and will identify areas for development through independent study. The module will embed effective working methodologies that will be flexible and enable independent thinking and production of a range of different project requirements.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debates.

6AD001: Creative Industries and Opportunities

In this course the students will study topics about the creative industries and the various opportunities associated with their industries. They will study topics about the art market, art dealers’ curators and art galleries. Students will explore the logic of the art market and what drives this peculiar economy. They will also look at strategies for identifying emerging artists and building a unique collection of contemporary art.

6AD002: Research Methodologies for Graphic Design

This module provides an opportunity to conduct an in-depth study of a topic of interest related to the student's major subject. Individual personal tutorials are used to generate and develop a personal research strategy to monitor progress and assist in the realization of objectives. A written draft is used as a vehicle for feedback before the submission of a final version. The student will engage with a log book to record tutorials and progress throughout this module.

6VC015: Digital Media Design for Mobile Devices

Through this module, students will prepare themselves for the world of professional web design. Through creative hands-on projects, exercises, and lectures students learn to conceptualize, design, and deploy successful web sites for clients. Module topics address intermediate web design concepts such as interface design, usability principles, web typography, information architecture, compliant front-end HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code.

In addition, this module introduces students to design elements and techniques for mobile applications. Through hands-on projects, exercises, and supporting tutorials students learn how to conceptualize, design, prototype, and execute interactive experiences for portable digital devices. The creative projects place emphasis on developing the ability to clearly articulate complex information architecture while producing compelling and vibrant user interfaces. The module will embed effective working methodologies that will be flexible and enable independent thinking and production of a range of different project requirements.

Formative feedback will be delivered throughout the module in the form of group and individual tutorials, discussions and debates.

6VC012: Graduation Project

The final year project module, which is a substantial piece of work, is based on the student’s own personal interests. This may be building an interactive Web application, Game Development, 3D animation, on a theme usually associated with an industrial collaborator. Alternatively, the student might wish to work on a project associated with the research of an academic staff member.

6VC018: Independent Graphic Design Practice

This is a very important module for all those students who are currently running a business in graphic design or wish to start an Independent Graphic Design Practice. This course will help students to understand what they want from starting a new business and hence they can determine what type of design business is right for them and take steps to ensure they make a good start in a design business. This course will introduce the students to the challenges of running an independent Graphic Design practice and to navigate through these challenges successfully. They will get essential knowledge about Customer Relationship Management, contracts, work schedules and related information.

6VC019: Major Aspects of Visual Communication Projects

This module will enable the student to develop and refine their graphic design project from the conceptual stage to a visual presentation which demonstrates a very high level of capability. In addition, it will enable the students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the discipline and its professional practices, with particular reference to the social, cultural and aesthetic aspects of their investigation. Throughout this module the students will develop a high level of knowledge of the contemporary discourse in design and visual communication and will be able to position their work relative to it. Also, the students will be able to debate and/or defend their practice in an informed critical appraisal. Generally, this module will enable the students to demonstrate their cultivated high ambitions to perfect their practice of graphic design.